Foreman/Tyson - Is There Any Doubt That...

[Russell]

For single shot power Foreman hit harder in his prime?

The more I watch of a young Foreman the more I see a wrecking ball of a fighter with disgusting amounts of power, amplified by the fact that he swung as wide as any heavyweight that even lived.

His one round murder of Jose Roman was terrifying... Roman slumped face first on the canvas.

Anyway, most of the evidence I can dig up points to Foreman hitting harder.

Maybe the best proof is Holyfield saying Foreman hit harder from the small amount of times he landed anything meaningful. And that's old George, sans speed and ferocity of his younger counterpart.

Tyson has unbelievable power, but more then one of his opponents said once they felt his power it wasn't as bad as they thought it would be. It was more the speed and accuracy that got them.

So, thoughts?

[Russell]

Also, if you want to look at numbers...

Even though Foreman had over 80 fights stretching until he was damned near 50, he ended up with a KO percentage of 84%.

Tyson, 76%.

Three of Foreman's non-stoppage fights came past 95' when he was around 45 years and older. Take those away and his record would look like this...

73 wins with 68 knockouts.

Those are Shaver's like numbers.

[The Wanderer]

I think only the Tyson fanboys and those who don't know boxing would say that Tyson hits harder than Foreman. A one punch KO over Michael Jack Johnson, however impressive it is visually, is not the same as making Joe Frazier fly up into the air after having already knocked him down 5 times in less than 2 rounds.

[round15]

Earnie Shavers' right hand is harder than both Tyson and Foreman's but George had the ultimate power in both hands.

[janitor]

There is considerable doubt.

Has anybody here been hit by both opf them?

If not what do you have to judge their power by?

[Ted Stickles]

I have always maintained the Foreman would have beaten tyson,even in 1990 when they were talking about it.But Tysons people knew that Mikes style would play right into Georges hands......While both men were equally powerful giving a sligh edge to Foreman,Tysons style was made for Georges.Even Cus knew that and said he would never let him fight Foreman.

[Russell]

There is considerable doubt.

Has anybody here been hit by both opf them?

If not what do you have to judge their power by?

Holyfield, who's commented on it.

Twas' also a prime Holyfield that fought George. Past prime for both Tyson fights.

[Sweet Pea]

Foreman had more raw power than just about anyone in the history of the division, save maybe Tua and Shavers, but Tyson was the better puncher overall. I actually considered him the better one punch hitter because of his accuracy and punch placement, in comparison to Foreman's more clubbing, beat-you-down-with-raw-force power.

[Sweet Pea]

Holyfield, who's commented on it.

Twas' also a prime Holyfield that fought George. Past prime for both Tyson fights.The same is true of Tyson in those fights. Still, I agree in terms of raw power certainly, but all things considered I think Tyson was the better puncher, and one of the very best in the history of the sport, regardless of weight class.

[Russell]

The same is true of Tyson in those fights. Still, I agree in terms of raw power certainly, but all things considered I think Tyson was the better puncher, and one of the very best in the history of the sport, regardless of weight class.

I agree completely.

Guess I'm just wording it differently.

[bigG]

foreman hit harder..tyson hit BETTER......

[SteveO]

My feeling is that any one shot from George will be stronger than an identical Tyson shot.

But placing that power into action, I would say Tyson is more effective with his power.

[janitor]

Holyfield, who's commented on it.

Twas' also a prime Holyfield that fought George. Past prime for both Tyson fights.

That is certainly a testimony worth paying atention to.

Like with Joe Louis, few people said that Tyson was the hardest hitter they ever faced, just the most effective.

[sauhund II]

I have always maintained the Foreman would have beaten tyson,even in 1990 when they were talking about it.But Tysons people knew that Mikes style would play right into Georges hands......While both men were equally powerful giving a sligh edge to Foreman,Tysons style was made for Georges.Even Cus knew that and said he would never let him fight Foreman.
Total myth..........

Tyson was asked in several well publized interviews on TV and in print about a Foreman fight and he responded "I will do him a favor and kill that fat bastard" but you guys (the press) would cruzify me if that fight would be signed because there are far better fights to be made than fighting that greedy fossil. And what a surprise , everybody agreed with him.

LOl, fight Ruddock but avoiding old Foreman..........that is not even a joke.

Foreman's comeback was all about the dough, not proving who's the best. After fighting the worst tomato cans in history to padd his comebacking record, he ended up being a punching bag for Holy losing pretty much almost every round, looked like a fool against a glasschinned Lthwy until he landed a lucky punch and then got stripped because he was unwilling to fight anybody worth a lick and then he got a gift decision against his handpicked German...

But they have two common opponents. Saverese and Stewart, Tyson waxed them BOTH in ONE round COMBINED while Big George went life and death with them all swollen up like a grotesk mummie.

Did I say mummie, lol, Ali called him that because of Foremans incredible speed...........

Prime for prime it is a 60/40 fight , speed kills.

[AnthonyJ74]

Total myth..........

Tyson was asked in several well publized interviews on TV and in print about a Foreman fight and he responded "I will do him a favor and kill that fat bastard" but you guys (the press) would cruzify me if that fight would be signed because there are far better fights to be made than fighting that greedy fossil. And what a surprise , everybody agreed with him.

LOl, fight Ruddock but avoiding old Foreman..........that is not even a joke.

Foreman's comeback was all about the dough, not proving who's the best. After fighting the worst tomato cans in history to padd his comebacking record, he ended up being a punching bag for Holy losing pretty much almost every round, looked like a fool against a glasschinned Lthwy until he landed a lucky punch and then got stripped because he was unwilling to fight anybody worth a lick and then he got a gift decision against his handpicked German...

But they have two common opponents. Saverese and Stewart, Tyson waxed them BOTH in ONE round COMBINED while Big George went life and death with them all swollen up like a grotesk mummie.

Did I say mummie, lol, Ali called him that because of Foremans incredible speed...........

Prime for prime it is a 60/40 fight , speed kills.

I couldn't have said it better myself! Great post!

I am of the opinion - the minority one it seems on here - that George Foreman would have been brutalized by Mike Tyson had they fought in the early 90's. It would have been more one-sided than the Holyfield fight, although it probably would not have gone the distance.

And I think you are dead on with your comment about George's comeback being all about greed. And I'm sure Mike Tyson was insightful enough to realize that - he would have been doing George a big favor by fighting him and allowing him to earn a huge paycheck.

[Taylor_brogdon]

While Foreman was probley the strongest HW in history except for Sonny Liston (probley) he wasnt that good of a puncher. He clubbed you to death while Tyson was a precision puncher with all the natural ability in the world. I disagree with Tyson's style being wrong, people are basing that on Fraizer. I dont think Fraizer and Tyson were anywhere close to being the same fighter. Tyson hit harder and was quicker. he wouldve been able to get inside of Foreman quicker and landed his shots and got outside quick enough to avoid those wild shots.

[rinsj]

Total myth..........

Tyson was asked in several well publized interviews on TV and in print about a Foreman fight and he responded "I will do him a favor and kill that fat bastard" but you guys (the press) would cruzify me if that fight would be signed because there are far better fights to be made than fighting that greedy fossil. And what a surprise , everybody agreed with him.

LOl, fight Ruddock but avoiding old Foreman..........that is not even a joke.

Foreman's comeback was all about the dough, not proving who's the best. After fighting the worst tomato cans in history to padd his comebacking record, he ended up being a punching bag for Holy losing pretty much almost every round, looked like a fool against a glasschinned Lthwy until he landed a lucky punch and then got stripped because he was unwilling to fight anybody worth a lick and then he got a gift decision against his handpicked German...

But they have two common opponents. Saverese and Stewart, Tyson waxed them BOTH in ONE round COMBINED while Big George went life and death with them all swollen up like a grotesk mummie.

Did I say mummie, lol, Ali called him that because of Foremans incredible speed...........

Prime for prime it is a 60/40 fight , speed kills.
And Mike Tyson's own comeback wasn't all about the dough? C'mon, get real, Tyson fought a lot of cans himself...Tyson fought Steve Zouski in his 19th professional fight and stopped him in 3 rounds while George fought Zouski is his first comeback fight and stopped him in four rounds. They both faced Zouski within one year of each other 1986/87.

Also, Foreman did what Tyson failed to do twice...go the distance with Evander Holyfield.

As for Foreman landing a lucky punch against Moorer...watch the last round of the fight...Foreman was landing on Moorer...the first round where George was actually outlanding him. That was no lucky punch...sorry, there is no such thing as a 'lucky' punch...if it happens to land it's the same as any other punch.

So your logic is flawed.

P.S. Foreman would have withstood whatever Tyson dished out and ground him down with his constant forward advance and power. The fighters who beat Tyson had no fear and George as much as any of those who defeated Tyson had no fear.

[AnthonyJ74]

And Mike Tyson's own comeback wasn't all about the dough? C'mon, get real, Tyson fought a lot of cans himself...Tyson fought Steve Zouski in his 19th professional fight and stopped him in 3 rounds while George fought Zouski is his first comeback fight and stopped him in four rounds. They both faced Zouski within one year of each other 1986/87.

Also, Foreman did what Tyson failed to do twice...go the distance with Evander Holyfield.

As for Foreman landing a lucky punch against Moorer...watch the last round of the fight...Foreman was landing on Moorer...the first round where George was actually outlanding him. That was no lucky punch...sorry, there is no such thing as a 'lucky' punch...if it happens to land it's the same as any other punch.

So your logic is flawed.

P.S. Foreman would have withstood whatever Tyson dished out and ground him down with his constant forward advance and power. The fighters who beat Tyson had no fear and George as much as any of those who defeated Tyson had no fear.

Tyson at least was fed better and better fighters as he progressed towards his title shot against Berbick in 1986. And after Tyson won the title, he cleaned out the heavyweight division and unifed all the belts.

George did have some good moments against Moorer before he knocked him out in the 10th round, but he was way behind on points, and Moorer was in control up until that last minute or so.

And for the life of me, I just can't see how George Foreman would have been able to do any better against Mike Tyson than Razor Ruddock did. Ruddock was faster, busier, and he probably hit harder than George did, but he was still outgunned by Tyson. But old slow George Foreman is going to trouble Tyson? Beat him?

No Way! Tyson landed a lot of Razor Ruddock, and he would land a lot more on slow, immobile George! And if Tyson could avoid most of Ruddock's big bombs, he would definitely get away from George's!

[Russell]

George could definitely hit harder with a single shot then Ruddock.

He also didn't have a debilitating asthma problem, and his chin was far better then Donaven's.

[fists of fury]

I barely listen to what fighters say anymore because they contradict themselves all the time.
Counterpoint - Alex Stewart (who also fought both) said nobody had Tyson's power...so who do you believe?

Foreman had amazing power, but it was a clubbing type of power. He rarely starched guys with one punch like Tyson did. (Tubbs, Berbick, Botha, Williams etc.)

I'd say Tyson was more destructive with his punches.

[young griffo]

George could definitely hit harder with a single shot then Ruddock.

He also didn't have a debilitating asthma problem, and his chin was far better then Donaven's.
I've never got why beating Donovan Ruddock was such a great achievment for Tyson anyway.

Sure he hit hard but aside from his two losses to Tyson his only wins of note were Dokes and Bonecrusher Smith(unless you count squeaking past Mike Weaver),his whole reputation is based on two losses to Tyson.

We got a better sense of his true standing amongst the elite Heavies of the time when he met a young Lennox Lewis.

Foreman definately hit harder with a single shot imo.Go watch the left hand he finished Gerry Cooney with.He punched straight through Cooneys arms when he was covering up and took his legs straight out from under him,and this is when George was old,slow and fat.He hit damned hard even then.

[abraq]

Foreman had more strength while Tyson had more power, if you guys know what I mean.

[Holmes' Jab]

While Foreman was probley the strongest HW in history except for Sonny Liston (probley) he wasnt that good of a puncher. He clubbed you to death while Tyson was a precision puncher with all the natural ability in the world. I disagree with Tyson's style being wrong, people are basing that on Fraizer. I dont think Fraizer and Tyson were anywhere close to being the same fighter. Tyson hit harder and was quicker. he wouldve been able to get inside of Foreman quicker and landed
his shots and got outside quick enough to avoid those wild shots.


Very good post, I agree on your summation. PLus I'd pick Tyson in a head-to-head matchup based on styles, more compact punching and superior defence.

[AnthonyJ74]

I've never got why beating Donovan Ruddock was such a great achievment for Tyson anyway.

Sure he hit hard but aside from his two losses to Tyson his only wins of note were Dokes and Bonecrusher Smith(unless you count squeaking past Mike Weaver),his whole reputation is based on two losses to Tyson.

We got a better sense of his true standing amongst the elite Heavies of the time when he met a young Lennox Lewis.

Foreman definately hit harder with a single shot imo.Go watch the left hand he finished Gerry Cooney with.He punched straight through Cooneys arms when he was covering up and took his legs straight out from under him,and this is when George was old,slow and fat.He hit damned hard even then.

Ruddock was a flawed fighter for sure, but he was a dangerous flawed fighter. Any guy that hits like he could and was as durable as he was was dangerous. There were a lot of heavyweights who didn't want to fight Ruddock back then - including Foreman, Bowe, and Holmes - so he must have had something with which to concern other fighters.

I don't see how any punch from Foreman(comeback Foreman) was more powerful than any punch from Ruddock, except maybe the left jab. Ruddock, Morrison, Lewis, Tua - those are all guys who I would say hit harder, punch for punch, than George Foreman!

[he grant]

There is a theory y Tex Cobb about power punchers and it kind of makes sense ... Tex said there is only so hard any human being can hit ... he said when he fought Earnie Shavers, Shavers hit him as hard as anyone ever did, just more often. He said Ken Norton once hit him in their bout as hard as Earnie Shavers ever did ... it's kind of interesting when measuring these tremendous hitters ..

[BlackWater]

I have always maintained the Foreman would have beaten tyson,even in 1990 when they were talking about it.But Tysons people knew that Mikes style would play right into Georges hands......While both men were equally powerful giving a sligh edge to Foreman,Tysons style was made for Georges.Even Cus knew that and said he would never let him fight Foreman.
Right. Tyson way too fast foreman. That, and his granite chin and incredible defense.

[ljj]

Foreman hit harder than any Heavy-wgt besides Gerry Cooney's left hook..